A somewhat related subject

  • Thread starter Werg22
  • Start date
In summary, this person is looking for books or tutorials that will teach them how to derive equations from models.
  • #1
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Hi I am currently studying physics (mostly mechanics)... however I find that books and teachers unsatisfying on the matter of proofs. I looked for books that give theoretical evidences but I failed to find any... does anyone have recommendations?
 
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  • #2
What exactly do you want a proof of? Generally, I found Symon's mechanics to be quite satisfying proof-wise.
 
  • #3
Not something exaclty, but on several things. I am looking for a book that prooves the equations that are given.
 
  • #4
This depends greatly on what level you're looking at...
Algebra? Vector trig? Calculus? Diff.Eq?

IMHO, any instance where a theory is actually used
to describe a physical (real) situation (as an example)
that example is a "model" of reality.
You can't "prove" a model - you just try it,
then compare with the experiment.
If the model prediction is pretty close to the experiment,
you use that model again - if not, you toss it out.

If you're just starting, maybe most of the "equations"
are essentially definitions.
(Physics books tend to NOT distinguish equations with 3 lines).
Again, you can't prove a definition -
you keep useful ones and discard the non-useful ones.
 
  • #5
lightgrav said:
This depends greatly on what level you're looking at...
Algebra? Vector trig? Calculus? Diff.Eq?

IMHO, any instance where a theory is actually used
to describe a physical (real) situation (as an example)
that example is a "model" of reality.
You can't "prove" a model - you just try it,
then compare with the experiment.
If the model prediction is pretty close to the experiment,
you use that model again - if not, you toss it out.

If you're just starting, maybe most of the "equations"
are essentially definitions.
(Physics books tend to NOT distinguish equations with 3 lines).
Again, you can't prove a definition -
you keep useful ones and discard the non-useful ones.

I could not say I am far into it, but I studied good part of mechanics, optics and accoustics. I understand that physics is built around models, but some equation are derived from the models, what I am looking for is how such equations are obtained.
 
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